Driver’s Choice

One of the coolest and most fun features of this year’s L.A. Auto Show is a chance for visitors to test-drive a wide range of new vehicles from a number of different manufacturers during the show’s public days (Nov. 22 through Dec. 1).

Drivers must present a valid driver’s license and meet the age requirements for each manufacturer. Passengers 8 and older are allowed on the test drives. Drivers and passengers must sign a waiver of liability, and drivers may be asked to pass a Breathalyzer test before getting behind the wheel.

Check the test-drive section of the Auto Show website at www.laautoshow.com/manufacturer-test-drives for the specific days, times and locations of each manufacturer’s registration desk and test-drive staging area. Registration ends 30 to 60 minutes prior to the close of the listed drive hours, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up.

The test drives start from four different points around the Convention Center: the plaza outside the West Hall Lobby, the west end of Pico Drive along the South Hall Lobby, the Lot D entrance of Aftermarket Hall Lobby and Chick Hearn Court near the Ford exhibit.

Here’s a rundown of the test-drive models as of press time:

Cadillac
Cadillac is making six different vehicles available for test drives, including the 2014 Escalade and XTS luxury sedan, as well as the SRX and three different versions of the CTS.

Chrysler Group
Chrysler’s range will run an even broader gamut, from the 2014 Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300 sedan to the Fiat 500e (electric) and the totally remade Jeep Cherokee.

Ford
Green is the name of the game at Ford’s test-drive station, with drivers able to sample the eco-friendly features of the 2014 C-Max Energi and Ford Fusion Energi.

General Motors
General Motors will present the largest test-drive stable: 16 vehicles, including the 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup, Buick Verano, GMC Terrain, Chevy Volt and Chevy Camaro.

Hyundai
The 2014 Equus Ultimate, 2013 Veloster Turbo and 2014 Sonata Limited are among the cars that Hyundai is providing for test drives.

Kia
On offer for a Kia test drive are the 2014 Cadenza and the 2014 Sorento SXL. Also, those of you in the eco crowd will have an opportunity to take the 2013 Optima Hybrid out for a spin.

Lincoln
Lincoln, that ever-classy U.S. marque, will be providing trial runs of the 2013 MKZ Hybrid and the 2013 Navigator for interested show-goers.

Mazda
Potential buyers can jump behind the wheel of a 2014 CX-5 crossover and three other Mazda models — the CX-9 crossover and Mazda3 and Mazda6 sedans.

Scion
The sporty rear-wheel-drive FR-S, the cute little iQ hatchback and the five-passenger tC sedan are the three models that Scion is making available for test drives.

Subaru
Subaru’s seven different test cars include the 2014 Forester 2.5i Touring with EyeSight and Outback 3.6R Limited with SAP and EyeSight.

Toyota
Toyota’s six offerings will include the latest incarnation of the Corolla, now in its 11th generation, as well as the 2014 Tundra pickup.

Volkswagen
Volkswagen is rolling out the 2014 Beetle, Passat, Jetta, Tiguan and GTI for your test-driving pleasure.

—Joe Yogerst, Brand Publishing Writer